Draft-equalizer.



No. 805,097. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. P. M. RUTTEN. DRAFT EQUALIZER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. 1905.

J/yf j 1`OQDO l FRANK M. RUTTEN, OF CRARY, NORTH DAKOTA.

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed February 28. 1905. Serial No. 247,724.

To @ZZ whom, L''/ may conce'nf Be it known that I, FRANK M. RUTTEN, a citizen of the United States, residingatCrary, in the county of Ramsey and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cushioning Devices for Draft-Equalizers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,'such as will enable others skilled in the art t0 which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to draft-equalizers, and has for its object to provide a simple and eiicient cushioning device therefor.

To such ends the invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, land defined in the claim.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a plan view showing a pole and a two-horse equalizer connected thereto and illustrating my improved cushioning device applied between the said parts.

is a section on the line m3 w3 of` Fig. 2.

The numeral 1 indicates the pole, having at its rear end the usual transversely-extended beam 2.

The numeral 3 indicates the equalizingbeam, and the numeral 4 the whiffletrees of an ordinary two-horse evener.

Just in front of the beam 2 the pole 1 is formed with a longitudinal slot 5, that opens from bottom to top thereof and is preferably lined by a metallic plate 6. Rigidly secured to the rear end of the pole and projecting forward over the slot 5 is a metallic strap or bracket 7, which is provided with a longitudinal slot 8, that alines with the said slot 5. The forwardly-projecting portion of the strap 7 is spaced above the pole, so as to afford clearance therebetween for the equalizingbeam 3. A pivot-bolt 9 is passed through the slots 5 and 8 of the pole 1 and strap 7, respectively, and also through the equalizingbeam 3. On thedepending end of the bolt 9, below the pole, is a nut 10, and between this nut and the pole is a heavy washer 11, that engages with the lower surface of the pole. A vertically-extended half-bearing 12 engages the forward portion or surface of the bolt 9 and closely fits in the slot 5. A cushioning-spring 13 is compressed between the Fig. 2 is a section on the line m2 @u2 of Fig. l, and Fig. 3 p

movable bearing 12 and the forward portion of the metallic lining 6, and, as shown, is held in working position by bosses 14 on said lining and said bearing.

This device affords a cushion which' will prevent undue strains on the harness, on the equalizer, and all parts coupled thereto in case eitheror both of the horses make a sudden jump or lunge. The cushion also prevents shocks to persons in the vehicle due to jumping or lungi-ng of the horses. The cushioning-spring should, of course, be quite strong. Under an initial strain due to jumping or lunging of the horses the spring 13 will be freely compressed, but as its compression is increased the tilting of the bolt 9 produces a cramping action and increased lfriction between the fixed and movable parts which relieves the spring from strain or at least prevents undue compression of the spring. The device will also take up slack in the tugs in case the wagon or sleigh to which the pole is attached runs into a rut, and it also relieves the horses shoulders from sudden strains.

As is evident, a three or four horse evener, instead of a two-horse evener, might be applied to the pole by the use of my improved cushioning device.

From what has been said it will be understood that the device described is capable of modification within the scope of my invention, as herein set forth and claimed.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

' The combination with the pole l having the slot 5, of the strap 7 secured to said pole, overlying said slot 5 and itself provided with a slot 8, a pivot-bolt 9 passed through said slots and provided, at its lower end with a nut 10 and washer 11, a half-bearing 12 in said slot 5 engaging said bolt 9, andthe spring 13 in said slot 5, reacting against the intermediate portion of said bearing l2 and against the forward plate of said slot 5, and an equalizer having a beam 3 placed between the pole and said strap 7, and pivotally mounted on said bolt 9, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI afiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK M. RUTTEN.

Witnesses:

M. A. MILLER, EDGAR ANDERsoN.

TOO 

